On Monday, 18th of November 2024, officials of CVMR (Texas) Inc. met with the members of the Amarillo Economic Development Committe (EDC), to prepare for the groundbreaking of the first phase of the CVMR refinery, producing  10,000 tpa high purity nickel powders and nickel nano powders based on CVMR’s proprietary powder metallurgy processes and technologies.  Phase one of the refinery will involve refining of nickel, thereafter the modules for the refining of heavy rare earth elements will be commissioned and become operational. 

 

Heavy rare earth metals are defined by their higher atomic weights relative to light rare earths. They are less common, and some elements within the group are facing shortages as demand outpaces supply. That typically makes them more valuable than light rare earths. They include elements such as dysprosium, yttrium, terbium, holmium, erbium, thulium and lutetium.

 

Most of the minerals to be refined in Amarillo are sourced within the United States and Canada, thus making sure that their supply chain is secure and the risks associated with the supply of raw materials are minimized.